June 7, 2007
Wizards Gear Up For Off Season
A scant 21 days remain until my favorite day of the entire year, the NBA draft. And while Cleveland and San Antonio start the NBA finals tonight (9:00 p.m. on ABC), the rest of the league, including the Washington Wizards, are firmly entrenched in the off season. What's in store for Team Zero? Let's take a look.
The Wizards have roughly $38 million in guaranteed salaries committed to the core of the team next year, that being Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, Etan Thomas, Antonio Daniels, Brendan Haywood and Darius Songaila. For some reason Andray Blatche's contract details aren't listed, so I'm not quite sure what his contract situation is.
Jarvis Hayes has a $3.4 million qualifying offer that I doubt the team will pick up and DeShawn Stevenson has a player option worth about one million that he definitely won't be taking. After leaving $10 million over three years on the table at Orlando last year, Stevenson's going to be looking for at least that amount from either Washington or another team this summer. My guess is the Wiz will use the money on Mister Fifty and wish Hayes (a career 40% shooter that's played just 226 games in four years) all the best in his future endeavors.
After crashing and burning late in the season, Haywood also figures to be on his way out of town. He's a big man with a reasonable contract that shouldn't be hard to move, perhaps Ernie Grunfeld can work out a deal for someone like Milwaukee's Charlie Villanueva. Reports also have the Wizards inquiring about Seattle's Robert Swift.
Some of the flotsam and jetsam that filled the bench last year are likely to return for another season, but other than perhaps Roger Mason Jr., I can't say I feel strongly about any of them. But someone has to go on the inactive list every night, right?
As for the aforementioned draft, the Wiz hold the 16th pick, so last season's late swoon may yet be good from something. Last year's pick, European Oleksiy Pecherov, figures to be on the roster next year, leaving the Wiz looking for someone to replace Haywood in the middle or perhaps a PG to groom for the future. Names bandied during the middle of the first round on various mock drafts that might makes sense include Colorado State's Jason Smith, BC pothead Sean Williams, Dukie Josh McRoberts, Brazilian Tiago Splitter (who's seemingly been coming out for the draft since 2000) and Georgia Tech's Thaddeus Young.
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Brendan Haywood for Charlie Villanueva? You must be out of your mind. Why would the Bucks (or anyone else) trade Haywood for a player who is, you know, actually good?
The Wiz should deal Jamison now. I do not know what his contract situation is, but if its possible, they should do it. He will garner top dollar because of his play while Gilbert was out. I am thinking Jamison plus the pick plus some role players for KG. And yes, that is wishful thinking.
Jamison's contract is not really movable. I think he is due about $14 million next year. And, js, you are exactly right...there is no way we could get a player like Villanueva in return. Not only is he more talented, but he is also younger. If we trade Haywood, I don't see us getting much in return. Honestly though, I am not sure who would really want him. I'm also not convinced we are going to resign Stevenson, but who knows...
Nick Young from USC...
Nick Young from USC...
Jamison for Zach Randolph is a rumor that has been floating around the internets. The salaries match up, but the other rumor is that Antawn is reportedly Abe Pollan's favorite player and therefore won't be dealt. As far as Haywood goes, the only thing the Wiz can get for him is another team's underachiever--which might not be too bad if it improves chemistry and they don't have to take on a bad contract.
So KG and Agent Zero could happily coexsist in Wizards uniforms? Dicey chance to take if you're Ernie Grunfeld....
Jamison for Zach Randolph is a rumor that has been floating around the internets. The salaries match up, but the other rumor is that Antawn is reportedly Abe Pollan's favorite player and therefore won't be dealt. As far as Haywood goes, the only thing the Wiz can get for him is another team's underachiever--which might not be too bad if it improves chemistry and they don't have to take on a bad contract.
Jamison has been brought up in a few trade rumors, but mostly by writers from other cities out of pure speculation. I seriously doubt they'd send him to Portland for Zach Randolph. Z-Bo is slow and plodding and is loathe to give up the ball. He wouldn't fit in EJ's motion offense. Plus you can't trade Jamison, a solid citizen, for Randolph and his shady past. That's a bad move.
I haven't heard anything about Charlie V, I was just throwing the name out as an example. He was hurt last year and the Bucks should have Bobby Simmons back, and depending on who they get in the draft, he might be movable.
Trading Jamison makes some sense from a basketball perspective, but for the sake of his chemistry and leadership it doesn't make sense at all. He's the guy that holds the team together. Haywood will be traded for someone who wore out his welcome elsewhere, or maybe a second round pick. He's not worth a whole lot, but someone out there needs a seven footer and figures Haywood may prosper with a change of scenery.
Evan, if the Bullets can get KG and keep Arenas and Butler then Ernie would be risking his job if he didn't pull the trigger. That being said, there is no way we get KG. It would be great to get something in return for Haywood though...pretty much anything would be great. But, I wouldn't be upset if we kept Haywood either...there aren't that many 7 footers out there.
the wizards really need to address their defensive play, thats why I believe they need to look at RON ARTEST. he pays d and he can score also. look into trading haywood for maybe someone like shelton williams from atlanta. I think he'll be a force in the middle given the opportunity.
I think that trading Haywood, Deshawn, and Pecherov for CARLOS BOOZER would be great.
we traded kwame for caron.......anything is possible